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Mario Balotelli wants to stay in England – either with Liverpool or Premier League rival

Mario Balotelli has reportedly expressed a desire to stay in England this summer, regardless of whether that’s with Liverpool or another Premier League club who will give him the chance to play more regularly.

According to Sky Sports Italia, who are cited here by the Daily Mirror, Balotelli is ready to reject a potential return to Italy to stay in England. His chances of reclaiming a place in Brendan Rodgers’ plans are practically zero, of course, meaning he’d have to look elsewhere in the top flight.

The Mirror state that the 25-year-old was primed for a move to Sampdoria earlier this summer – until a reported disagreement on wages. He’s also been linked with moves to the Italian third division (via Daily Express) and the Middle East (via Daily Mail), but so far nothing has come of such rumours.

Balotelli, who scored just one Premier League goal last season following his move from AC Milan, has been banished from the first-team this summer and has been forced to train alone as he awaits a possible move (via The Guardian).

The arrivals of new signings Christian Benteke and Danny Ings have further restricted his chances, but time is running out for him to decide on his future.

Surely he’d rather accept a move anywhere than further diminish his footballing reputation on the sidelines? After all – a solid season elsewhere could see him recalled to the national squad for Euro 2016 next summer.